Ankara, March 04: Turkey has expressed confidence that Egyptian authorities will fulfill the nation’s demands by overseeing a successful transition to democracy.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who was on a one-day trip to Cairo on Thursday, made the remark after meeting Egyptian political figures and junta members.
Gul arrived in Cairo as Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq resigned and a former transportion minister was picked to appoint a new government while activists demand a purge of Mubarak’s old guard from the cabinet.
President Gul said he held substantive talks with Defense Minister Mohamed Tantawi, and opposition activists, including Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie. “They have vowed to do what is needed in a short period of time,” Gul told reporters.
He added that Egypt should now adopt a democratic, parliamentary and constitutional system, stressing that the transition process should meet all of the demands of the Egyptian people.
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was toppled last month following a wave of uprisings that put an end to his more than 30-year rule.
Gul also assured Cairi of Ankara’s support in evacuating Egyptians out of Tunisia, announcing the formation of a bilateral committee for coordinating humanitarian aid to Egyptians stranded at the border after fleeing Libya.
Turkey’s president also met with secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, who has signaled that he might run for the presidency.
Gul was accompanied by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
——–Agencies